I need to change my spark plug and I don't wanna take my mods out so I took it to a shop where they have fix many BMW's and also building a E90 race car. Anyway long story short, he broke 2 coils while try to pull them out. luckly close by dealership had few coil in stock and was able to do it under warranty. So I will be more careful when you DIY this. Make sure you call your dealer and make sure they have coils in stock or else you gonna stuck when you have one or more coil break on you. Here is the picture where it broke. When we picked up the coil from the dealership, one of the tech mentioned this is a common breakage for them as well. Good luck!!Attachment 235600

Hey this is exactly the Same thing that happened to me last night! it broke in the exact same spot as well. can you please tell me how i can get it completely out now? will i have to take apart the entire thing and push it out or is there another simpler way? please let me know what i can do exactly or im going to have to take it to my local shop & im sure they will charge me a lot!

Worked out perfect for me, change 6 plugs (Bosch ZGR6STE2), box states 20NM for torque, used special N54 spark plug socket, change cabin micro filter and air filter Took me a couple of hours. Fired right up with no error codes and runs great. Changed right at 45,000 miles. NICE!!!!

The Cobb video made it super simple. Just take your time with the coils. Pull them with constant pressure and you can feel them come loose. Plugs had 52k on them and they were worn. No codes or misfires.

Hey this is exactly the Same thing that happened to me last night! it broke in the exact same spot as well. can you please tell me how i can get it completely out now? will i have to take apart the entire thing and push it out or is there another simpler way? please let me know what i can do exactly or im going to have to take it to my local shop & im sure they will charge me a lot!

I wonder if the coils are more likely to snap if the engine is not completely cooled down?. I could see how a warm engine would make the coil fitting tighter on the spark plug as well as making the coil plastic weaker.

I wonder if the coils are more likely to snap if the engine is not completely cooled down?. I could see how a warm engine would make the coil fitting tighter on the spark plug as well as making the coil plastic weaker.

No issues here, and the car was hot when I did it. I had just driven it for an hour, parked it, then started changing the plugs. The trick is to keep pulling with consistent force I think. There is a vacuum seal formed, you need to overcome it with gradual increased force. Not a yank.

Question, I know this is a n54/55 based thread but how tight do you torque on the plugs for n51s/52? I read earlier a guy saying 30nm but I just want to confirm and see if someone knows how much that is in ft./lb. or in./lb.?
And also, is it possible to use 335 spark plugs for a 328? If so, would it be worth it? Will it create better performance and how tight do I torque it?

Question, I know this is a n54/55 based thread but how tight do you torque on the plugs for n51s/52? I read earlier a guy saying 30nm but I just want to confirm and see if someone knows how much that is in ft./lb. or in./lb.?
And also, is it possible to use 335 spark plugs for a 328? If so, would it be worth it? Will it create better performance and how tight do I torque it?

For the N55/N54 spark plugs they should be torqued to 23Nm.

23Nm = 17 Ft/Lbs. BMW stamps the torque right on the spark plug box.

DO NOT use spark plugs for a turbo engine in an NA engine!!! Make sure you use the correct plugs for your engine. Sometimes this changes for SULEV and ULEV cars too. So check with your dealer via your VIN. There is no magical secret power to be found by using different plugs. That was a myth used to sell those V-grooved plugs from years ago.

DO NOT use spark plugs for a turbo engine in an NA engine!!! Make sure you use the correct plugs for your engine. Sometimes this changes for SULEV and ULEV cars too. So check with your dealer via your VIN. There is no magical secret power to be found by using different plugs. That was a myth used to sell those V-grooved plugs from years ago.

Hey everyone, we just tackled this job here and found a way around the BMW socket. We took a 6 point 15mm and shaved down the outer walls. Worked like a charm with no issues on removal or installation.
Everything torqued and released just fine.

He are some pictures with a rough measurement on the dial calipers if you would like to be able to change these plugs without spending $$ on the BMW tool.

Hey everyone, we just tackled this job here and found a way around the BMW socket. We took a 6 point 15mm and shaved down the outer walls. Worked like a charm with no issues on removal or installation.
Everything torqued and released just fine.

He are some pictures with a rough measurement on the dial calipers if you would like to be able to change these plugs without spending $$ on the BMW tool.

Thanks for all the great information in this thread.

The BMW spark plugs have a 12 point base. I would feel better buying and using the special 12 point socket when it comes to something like this. Afterall the "special tool" only costs $20 at most places. Heck even your BMW parts dept sells them!

The BMW spark plugs have a 12 point base. I would feel better buying and using the special 12 point socket when it comes to something like this. Afterall the "special tool" only costs $20 at most places. Heck even your BMW parts dept sells them!

Yes, I agree and ordered one from the tool truck this morning. We were doing this job on Sunday and delivering it today. So it was, find a way to make a tool or have a disappointed customer. :-)
The plug fit into the socket perfectly and at only 17 ft/lbs per plug, we were not worried. Just figured I would post the info anyway, in case someone gets in a bind like we did.

Do I just torque it properly then? I don't want to mess up swapping the plugs, can someone just tell me how to torque/gap the plugs correctly? Also, is there any common mistakes?

Yes, you just carefully insert the plugs down the plug holes and hand tighten, then use a tq wrench. Use BMW dealer bought plugs... there have been enough guys posting trouble using aftermarket Bosch plugs. There IS a difference. Also make sure you do not drop a plug before installing it and remove the protective plug tip guard(paper). Its pretty easy. Also be careful when pulling out the old coil packs - they have been known to break when removing.

Yes, you just carefully insert the plugs down the plug holes and hand tighten, then use a tq wrench. Use BMW dealer bought plugs... there have been enough guys posting trouble using aftermarket Bosch plugs. There IS a difference. Also make sure you do not drop a plug before installing it and remove the protective plug tip guard(paper). Its pretty easy. Also be careful when pulling out the old coil packs - they have been known to break when removing.